Fade - Robert Cormier

Dark tale of a good boy misled by temptation.

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Common Sense rates it
4
Read the book?
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Book details
  • Author:Robert Cormier
  • # of pages: 293
  • Publisher:Laure Leaf
  • Original Publication Date: 01/01/1988
  • Genre: Fiction - Fantasy
  • Paperback: $5.50
  • Publisher's Recommended Reading Level: Young Adult
  • Read Alone: 13+

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that in this story focuses on an otherwise good boy who succumbs to temptation, spies on people, and even commits murder but reforms. It also includes a vivid portrayal of Depression-era working conditions. Too long for reluctant readers, this is nonetheless a fascinating horror and morality story, with sensitive character portrayals punctuated by increasingly intense action.

Families can talk about the notion of becoming invisible. What could be come positive consequences of being invisible? What might be some negative results?

Message

Social Behavior:

A Ku Klux Klan meeting is briefly depicted. The meeting is broken up by outraged townspeople who oppose the Klan. While invisible, the main character spies on people and commits a murder, then vows never to use his powers again.

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

Portrays bullies beating up boys, a street riot, mayhem, and several graphically described murders.

Sex

Forthrightly portrays the sexual fantasies of a young teenage boy, a scene of prostitution involving a 13-year-old girl, and a scene of incest between a twin brother and sister, all filling the main character with horror and guilt.

Language

Frequent and extreme, though almost always used by villains or unsavory characters.

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Amy Brotman

In this supernatural morality tale thirteen-year-old Paul discovers he can become invisible, but quickly learns that it brings only evil to his life. He spies on people and sees shocking things, then kills for revenge. Vowing never to use his power again, he later confronts his long-lost nephew, who uses the power to commit multiple murders. Suspenseful, intense, and disturbing.



Is it any good?

4

What child hasn't dreamed of becoming invisible? Robert Cormier explores its consequences in this dark tale of a good boy who succumbs to temptation, then repents. FADE offers a subject that intrigues teenagers, who can read it as a simple suspense novel if they wish. However, as is usual with Cormier's books, much more lies below the surface.

Paul can escape from bullies, learn frightening secrets, and seek revenge, but when he sees that his power is a curse he vows never to use it again. Later he tries to help Ozzie when the boy inherits the power to fade and succumbs to its temptation. Ozzie develops a split personality, hearing voices that urge him to kill not only his enemies but even people who have helped him.

Paul discovers his power to fade at the same time he enters puberty and is plagued by sexual yearnings. While he's invisible, he sees the secret sexual practices of people who lead apparently blameless lives on the surface. His religion constrains Paul's sexual feelings, but he can't confess his power to become invisible to his priest, and he can't control it. That unlimited freedom leads to a man's death at Paul's hands, and ultimately to Ozzie's death.

Cormier adds mystery by telling the story through an unpublished manuscript left after Paul's death with Meredith, his literary agent. She and Susan, Paul's young cousin, seek clues about its authenticity.

Another Cormier novel about a psychopathic killer is Tenderness.

Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 3 reviews.

3


Posted on 04/03/08 by db92 Kid contributor, age 15

controversial but suspensful

sexual content, incest, brief language, and violence. fade has a very original and compelling story. I wouldnt recommend a child younger than high school to read it. for th issues i listed and because even for me the quick setting changes were somewhat confusing. It certainly is interesting and keeps you guessing. I researched further on it because i was unsure on whether it was based on a true story. The characters and their actions just seem so real. Even with the censored details, it is a good book to read.
0


Posted on 08/30/05 by winfall Adult contributor

Sick Trash!

Lots of profanity, sex, incest and violence. Teen boy lusts after his aunt, long descriptions of him having orgasms, etc. He watches a teen brother and sister have sex. Lots of savage killings. There appear to be no negative consequences for his actions.
5

Posted on 06/30/05 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Adult Reviews

There are 2 reviews.

0


Posted on 08/30/05 by winfall Adult contributor

Sick Trash!

Lots of profanity, sex, incest and violence. Teen boy lusts after his aunt, long descriptions of him having orgasms, etc. He watches a teen brother and sister have sex. Lots of savage killings. There appear to be no negative consequences for his actions.
5

Posted on 06/30/05 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Kids Reviews

There are 1 reviews.

3


Posted on 04/03/08 by db92 Kid contributor, age 15

controversial but suspensful

sexual content, incest, brief language, and violence. fade has a very original and compelling story. I wouldnt recommend a child younger than high school to read it. for th issues i listed and because even for me the quick setting changes were somewhat confusing. It certainly is interesting and keeps you guessing. I researched further on it because i was unsure on whether it was based on a true story. The characters and their actions just seem so real. Even with the censored details, it is a good book to read.
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45 votes